d of the corridor, faint sounds of laughter and playful banter drifted out. They wer

rk was beginning to blister-the trace of the be

al voice. Someone had told her t

s trembling slightly. She dialed the number she h

came. "Estella? Do you

t tinged with a sharp edge. A surge of anger wel

ng back finally welled up and she choked out, "

s no gasp of shock, as Estella had anticipated, nor any denial

kissing her. In our bedroom.

oice changed, becoming clear and

d be more mature an

suddenly choking in

sighed, her voice hoarse from the other end of the pho

psed. She sat heavily on the edge of the bed, the mattr

are destined to be together. You've always been just a stepping stone

asting like ashes in her mouth. "You forced

illed your responsibilities to this family. The Lois family needed a marriage all

sforming into a burning, nauseating rage within her. "H

ect, Estella? You have no sense of humor. You have neither Yana's drive nor her be

ed. She could almost feel the sting on h

rad's financial support. Jana needs this marriage to solidify her so

he meals she had cooked, and all the money she had given Doug without hesitation.

"Don't think about anything else. Take whate

fragile laugh. "Do you want me to l

a single day in your life. You should be grateful for anything he can give

ll has

phone. The reflection in her eyes was of a

lp, but her mother's words f

ssing table. The woman in the mirror looked haggard, but

no longer beg, and will

hen leave," she whisp